Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Q: Gurudev, Some of my colleagues talk ill of the ‘Art of Living’. I don’t like this but I ignore them. Can you please guide what should I do?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

What is it that they can talk bad of us? There is nothing. That is all their imagination. You keep on doing what you can. They will also realize. This had also happened with so many saints in the past. Some people liked them and got benefited after getting the knowledge, and some others didn’t like them. How does it matter?We are teaching. One thing that some people say is why the ‘Art of Living’ courses are paid. ‘Art of living’ is an education. Do you think education should be free? Will people value free education the same way? If education should be free, then all education like medical, engineering, journalism should also be free. If all others are not, why should spiritual education be free? There was concept of Dakshina in the past also. Unless you give dakshina, your education is never complete. And we do so much work in society with the money left after course expenses. Also this shows how much more work we need to do to improve the society.

Q: Gurudev, How do you balance confidence with humility?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Confidence and arrogance do not go together. With true confidence, you are relaxed, you feel at home and you make others feel at home. When you are arrogant, you try to show people that you are better than them. There are two types of teachers. The first type makes you feel small or inadequate so that you learn to feel large or adequate. The second type of teachers will tell you that you are great, you wake up; you can do a lot. Both are essential in different circumstances.

Q: Gurudev, I feel very strong in your presence and it feels good. I am very grateful to have you in my life.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Good good. Knowledge, meditation and relaxation will give you cool heart, and soothe your heart!

Q: Gurudev, Dearest guruji, sometimes I feel that I have not got over a death in my immediate family , and it prevents me from moving forward in my own relationships, and starting my own family. I’d want to move on but sometimes I feel I’m my own worst enemy. Please help me guruji. I am waiting patiently for you to read, and answer my question.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

You meditate, you do bhajan. These vibrations reach them also. You be peaceful and peaceful vibrations from you go across to the other side. That is why spirituality is called ’Sadhana’ in Sanskrit, which means the real wealth, the real currency that can go even here and there (laughs). The other dollar currency cannot be used on the other side. That’s why we say when you do satsang, sing and meditate, these positive vibrations reach them. And then, these emotions when they come up just observe them, watch them. They will come, evaporate and disappear. Don’t make a big issue about it. Move on.

Q: Gurudev, How can you find a purpose for living if you have lost your self-respect?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

The Self is not lost, so the self-respect is not lost. Come on, wake up. You are loved and accepted by many. You are a precious flower of this planet. Do something useful. Do not think only about yourself.

Q: Gurudev, You say, choice is ours and blessings are yours. For two-three years, I have not been able to decide my career. I take up jobs and then leave. Can you choose one for me?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Any career you choose, after sometime you may feel oh, this is not the right one. People who have become doctors say, ‘we should have become engineers’, those who are engineers may feel they should have been lawyers and make easy money! So every profession has its dark side. That’s why I say you move on in any profession of your choice and do it. And I chose one career for you? No way! I refuse to. You chose the profession; I give the blessing. My blessings are there.

Q: Gurudev, What did Jesus mean by saying- ‘I am the bread that you eat.’

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

I have spoken about it in the book- ‘Jesus - the embodiment of love’.

Q: Gurudev, Is it possible for all of us to get enlightened?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Definitely. Anytime! The seed is there. It can sprout anytime. It can become a big tree anytime.

Q: Gurudev, Sri Sri, if joy is our nature, why do we lose touch with our nature? Why are we distracted?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Spiritual voyage can give you the joy and keep you in touch with your nature.